saltpetre
Crystalline nitrogen compound
Saltpetre is potassium nitrate, a white crystalline compound used historically in gunpowder, food preservation, and fertilizer.
The spelling saltpeter is more common in American English.
Folk belief held that saltpetre was added to military food to suppress soldiers' sexual urges, though this effect is unsubstantiated: They must be putting saltpetre in the water.
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- nitrateNO₃ compound
- oxidizerElectron-accepting reactant
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- solubleAble to dissolve
hygroscopic · inorganic · nitrogen · reactive · chemical · compound · saline · anion
Early explosive propellant
- charcoalBurned wood residue
- sulfurYellow combustible element
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- propellantSubstance creating thrust
pyrotechnics · fireworks · cannon · musket · fuse · ignition · cartridge · blasting
Restoring health or preserving
- corned beefBrined, cured brisket
- baconCured smoked pork
- hamCured pig thigh
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
pastrami · brine · charcuterie · jerky · pickling · antimicrobial · pink salt · nitrates
Material settled or stored
- efflorescenceCrystalline surface deposit
- evaporiteMineral from dried brine
- calicheMineral-ceite hardened soil layer
- cavernsLarge underground hollows
cave walls · limestone · sedimentary · bat guano · mineralogy · geology · veins · crystals
Cultivation of land, livestock
- soilGround matter for planting
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- cropsCultivated plants for harvest
- farmingCultivating land for food
nutrients · growth · amendment · yield · horticulture · guano · compost · organic
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
arcane · esoteric · alchemists · tincture · elixir · occult · refinement
potassium
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- nitrateNO₃ compound
- oxidizerElectron-accepting reactant
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
soluble · hygroscopic · inorganic · nitrogen · reactive · chemical · compound · saline · anion · cation
blackpowder
Early explosive propellant
- charcoalBurned wood residue
- sulfurYellow combustible element
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
propellant · pyrotechnics · fireworks · cannon · musket · fuse · ignition · cartridge · blasting · detonation
curing
Restoring health or preserving
- corned beefBrined, cured brisket
- baconCured smoked pork
- hamCured pig thigh
prosciutto · pastrami · brine · charcuterie · jerky · pickling · antimicrobial · pink salt · nitrates · food-grade
deposits
Material settled or stored
- efflorescenceCrystalline surface deposit
- evaporiteMineral from dried brine
- calicheMineral-ceite hardened soil layer
caverns · cave walls · limestone · sedimentary · bat guano · mineralogy · geology · veins · crystals · ore
agriculture
Cultivation of land, livestock
- soilGround matter for planting
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- cropsCultivated plants for harvest
farming · nutrients · growth · amendment · yield · horticulture · guano · compost · organic · plants
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
magnum opus · arcane · esoteric · alchemists · tincture · elixir · occult · refinement
- Drysalterydyes, dyestuff, pigments, chemicals, borax
- old chemistryphlogiston, alchemy, caloric, aqua regia, muriatic acid
- Company RajBritish East India Company, East India Company, sepoy, sepoys, factory
saltpetrereducing agent
Electron-donating chemical species
water · fire retardant · charcoal · sulfur · carbon dioxide